Kansas City Chiefs - TeamReport

It's a very different terrain for Andy Reid and John Dorsey as they guide the Kansas City Chiefs into the 2014 NFL season with the start of free agency.

A year ago both were on the job for only two months but they had quickly put together a game plan for adding talent to the roster they inherited after a 2-14 season in 2012. That disaster led to the firing of general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel, with Reid and Dorsey taking over. They had enough maneuvering room under the NFL salary cap that they were able to plug in more than a dozen veteran players through trades and free agency. Some of those players were big contributors in the team's 11-5 season and a trip to the playoffs.

That's old news now. Reid and Dorsey face a continuing rebuilding job on a roster that has some talented front-line players, but lacks in depth able to push the starters for playing time. They took immediate hits in free agency when they lost left tackle Branden Albert, guard Jon Asamoah, wide receiver-returner Dexter McCluster, guard Geoff Schwartz and defensive end Tyson Jackson.

Albert landed in Miami, Asamoah with Atlanta and McCluster moving to Tennessee. Schwartz signed with the Giants and Jackson with Atlanta.

The first day of free agency left the Chiefs with an unstable situation on the offensive line, a group that struggled early last year but performed well in the last six weeks and in the postseason game against Indianapolis.

"They came together, they grouped together and towards the end of the season they came together," Dorsey said of his offensive line at the NFL Combine. "I see this moving forward as a very good positive."

Free agency looks like it may hinder that "positive" growth; the trio of Albert/Schwartz/Asamoah started 28 games during the 2013 season at left tackle and right guard. Albert and Schwartz were the two best blockers the Chiefs had during the season, and Albert earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. If Schwartz joins the procession out of Arrowhead Stadium that removes three of the team's top seven blockers and leaves question marks about left and right tackle, along with right guard.

Reid doesn't point to free agency as the mode to fix the holes in the Chiefs roster. Like Dorsey, the head coach believes the team should be built through the NFL Draft.

"I'm not a big free agency guy; that wasn't our MO there (Philadelphia) and my thought on that hasn't changed," Reid said. "I'm lucky enough to be with John, and that's his feeling. I think you kind of plug things here or there."

Losing players, especially starters and contributors in free agency calls for action on the open market of veteran players, but Reid is convinced that method can only go so far.

"If you think you are going to make a team out of free agents, I don't think that necessarily works," Reid said.

Reid and Dorsey will troll the free agency waters and zero in on players they are familiar with, like wide receiver Jason Avant (drafted by Reid in Philadelphia). A healthy Jermichael Finley from the Packers (back/spine injury in 2013) might get consideration.

-----------------------------------------------

NFL Team Report - Kansas City Chiefs - NOTES, QUOTES

--Running back Jamaal Charles was named the winner of the team's Derrick Thomas Award as most valuable player for the 2013 Chiefs season. It was the fourth time in five years that Charles was selected by his teammates for the honor; his only miss came in 2011 when an ACL tear in his left knee cost him 14 games. "Four out of five ... I can't believe it," Charles said. "I've played with a lot of great players and to be honored by them with the DT Award so many times is a highlight in my career." Charles led the NFL in offensive yards during the 2013, gaining 1,980 yards with 17 touchdowns.

--Cornerback Marcus Cooper was named the team's Mack Lee Hill Award winner as the best rookie for the Chiefs during the 2013 season. He was honored on a vote by his teammates. Cooper was one of seven players claimed by the Chiefs off the waiver wire just six days before the season opener. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft by San Francisco but was released on the final roster cut. Cooper quickly established himself as the team's nickel back and ended up playing in every game and he finished with three interceptions. "I got a lot of help getting here and I want to thank my teammates," Cooper said. "I hope I can stay around here for a while."